skrllmn’s BodyBlog

As a teacher you thive on the "ah ha" moment.  The moment that a student finally understands what you have been trying to teach them.  This is the moment that reassures you that you have chosen the right career and you are actually good at your job.  This week I had my first "ah ha" moment as a coach and also was able to experience some of my own. 

October 1st was the one year anniversary of my joining the gym!  I have been able to keep the weight off and still focus on making more improvements.  The strength I have gained is incredible, and for the first time in all of my 28 years, I am proud of myself.  I still have details that I would love to improve on, but overall I love who I have become.  I am more confident than I have ever been, I am continuously impressed by the way I look, and am always blown away by compliments on muscle tone or lifting stats by people I don’t even know.  I have totally embraced a new way of life and I only wish I would have figured this out years ago.  I finally "got it," I understand how to make myself happy without relying on others or putting myself last, and it feels great!

When I started with the cross country team the coach asked me to kind of focus on our JV girls.  He felt that they were not working to thier potential, which was 150% true.  As second and third year members on the cross country team, many of them still did not complete entire races without walking.  In fact I think they had themselves convinced that it was completely impossible for them to run 3 miles without walking.  I have been trying to push these girls, but we would have a great practice one day, then they would flake out the next.  Thursday, I convinced two of them to slow down and run with me at a more even pace.  What happened surprised everyone!  Two of the slowest girls on the team ran four miles with me at practice!  They were so excited that they committed to running the entire race at the meet Saturday. 

These girls were able to take six and eight minutes of thier PR’s from previous races this season, over a course of three miles, that is incredible!  I am so excited that I was able to help improve the confidence these girls had in thier abilities by sharing the changes I have made over the last year and being an example for them.  I LOVE feeling like I make a difference!

Practice went well today, some hill running, which I rarely convince myself to do.  I even had one of my girls say it was one of her best this season, because she was keeping up with me so we could talk.  Exactly what I was looking for btw.  But, then I hit the gym.  Made the serious mistake of running another mile to warm up before a leg workout.  I was seriously dissappointed by my bench squats tonight.  I was struggling for 20 reps at 185, and I have done significantly more in the past.  WTF!  That was even the first exercise I didn’t even realize how tired I was. 

 Everything else was a little less tramatic.  Lateral squats were still weak, but hamstring curls, knee ups, and one legged press were acceptable.  I seriously saw the effects of me running a lot before lifting.  Here’s to hoping the rest of cross country season doesn’t put a negative twist on my hard work with the weights.

As part of my day I learned that apparently last school year there were rumors flying about me being anorexic.  Seriously, have they looked at me?  Not a problem.  Damn, someone decides to make some changes and that’s what they say about me?  Can’t I get some damn credit for the work I have been putting in?  I seriously hope this was student talk and not teacher talk.  Some of my kids tried to stick up for me and tell the real story, but I am sure people still think there is something wrong.  High school never dies, I swear some days the drama as a teacher is as bad as when I was a student.

Started as the newest assistant cross country coach today and found my home with some of the slower girls.  The coach thinks I can help motivate them.  Hopefully he is right.  My legs were feeling much better today so I did run a couple of miles with them.  I really have very little experience off road, I don’t know how I didn’t break an ankle.  Anyway, hopefully this will work out well.  Looking forward to a session with Jamie tomorrow, hoping for a nice leg workout, but worried he will tell me to let them rest aother day or so if he finds out I’ve been running.  I wish I felt like I could, but I am afraid rest makes me lazy and I will lose focus.

Had a rough day on my legs, hoping they are just sore from the race yesterday, and nothing is actually hurt.  Did a decent back and biceps superset workout tonight.  A little dissapointed by some of it though.  I guess I didn’t realize how tired my arms would be from running until I started lifting today.  But, once I start, I can’t walk away. 

I got the cross country assistant position and should start later this week.  Still seems crazy to me that I am going to encourage people to run.  Until a year ago I was very much an "only run when I’m being chased" kind of person.  Crazy how things change…

Half marathon #2 this morning and not only did I beat my target, but I improved on my last race time by 15 minutes!!  I might still be slow, but improving on my time is enough at this point.  Hopefully I will be able to walk in the am and make it through an upper body workout tomorrow night.

Convinced my trainer to do some powerlifting with me Thursday.  Great idea.  It always makes me feel like I can do anything I put my mind to.  (Plus it adds a little to the confidence when the guys are blown away by how much I can lift)  Broke personal bests on each lift we did which is excellent! 

I also volunteered to take a cross country coaching position available at my school.  Seriously, me?  Who would have ever thought I would actually be offereing to do something like that?  This is the girl who was always the slowest one on the field/court/pitch/etc.  I am kind of hoping that I will be able to motivate some of my students who I know are not committed to practice.  Hell, if I can do it, they should know they can.  It just seems crazy, and I am still kind of in shock that I offered to take the position.

Tomorrow is the Philly race, I hope it all goes well.  Having some foot/leg issues this week, just hoping to make it through the race then take a few days off from running.  No pace groups for this race, but I at least picked up a pacing wristband to help me hit my target.  Hopefully, in a little over 12 hours I will be happily finished and on the long drive back to WV.  Maybe I’ll even reward myself with the touristy run up the Rocky steps before we leave!  I’ve been on the same type of journey, right?

Attempt number two at a half marathon this Sunday.  Hopefully I can break the 2:30 mark.  I know its not fast, but still it’s pretty good for someone who couldn’t run 5 minutes straight a year ago.  Once I beat that I can get back to lifting a little more.  I feel as though I have been slacking in that department lately.  I have still noticed a strength gain, but just feel as if I have not been pushing as hard as I once was.  Can’t lose focus now, I’m coming up fast on my year anniversary at the gym and the year two attempt at the Thanksgiving 5K.  I can’t wait to look back at the changes I have made!